Soaring Communications

Posts Tagged ‘Industry Knowledge’

Communications and PR specialist, Soaring Worldwide has recently been selected by the Harrogate International Centre to take on the management and planning of its PR activities and reputation management.

The PR campaign is aimed at raising the profile of HIC across the business events industry using both traditional PR and social media marketing techniques.

Soaring Worldwide has extensive knowledge of the business events industry and will be helping HIC focus on its core market. HIC is about to undertake a multi-million pound development of its facilities, adding two new flexible event spaces.

HIC, brand manager, Lynne Farrow: “We have chosen to work with Soaring Worldwide to benefit from their extensive industry knowledge and understanding of our market.  HIC is growing rapidly and the launch of the new event spaces will mark a new phase in our expansion plans.  It is the perfect time to start raising our profile and we were keen to work with a team that combines expertise with a love of the destination and venue.”

Soaring Worldwide’s, managing director, Adam Baggs: “Working with HIC is already proving to be an incredibly rewarding experience.  Both HIC and Harrogate have so much to offer and we are truly excited at the prospect and challenge of increasing their profile across a range of media and markets.”

Harrogate International Centre has made two new strategic appointments to strengthen its sales and marketing capability.

Alison Griffin returns as head of sales and marketing on a short term contract and Paul Ashton, formerly with G-Mex (now Manchester Central), is to take up duties as sales manager.

Alison Griffin returns to a role that will see her overseeing all aspects of the venue’s sales and marketing activity, including the launch of two new event spaces which are due to be built over the course of the next year.

Paul Ashton, a seasoned sales professional with considerable industry knowledge and experience, takes up his post in July and his initial focus will be to increase proactive sales in HIC’s core markets to match the venue’s unique portfolio of conference, meetings, exhibition and event spaces.

Harrogate International Centre director, Stuart Quin: “Alison and Paul join at a crucial time for HIC, we are undergoing extensive reviews of our management structure, as we direct our sales and marketing focus to create a greater solution oriented approach to sales and event management.”

“We look forward to the impact Alison and Paul will have on both the team and the future of our business.  Like many other venues, HIC has faced broader industry challenges such as smaller budgets, shorter events and lower delegate numbers during the last year.  Instead of sitting back, our sales team has worked more closely than ever with clients helping them to develop their events through new products and services.”

“Alison has a visible track record in raising the marketing profile of HIC and returns to provide strong management direction and motivation to both marketing and sales teams.  It is really good to welcome Paul Ashton to HIC. His wealth of experience gained in Manchester and elsewhere, and his knowledge of organisers and large UK and international events, should prove instrumental in delivering an increased number of events to Harrogate.”

Soaring Worldwide (formerly Soaring PR) has been appointed by the Kyoto Convention Bureau to plan and manage its PR activity in Europe and North America. 

The campaign, which will initially run for six months is a first for Kyoto CVB, who have previously focused on exhibitions, direct marketing and advertising to raise their profile in overseas markets.

Kyoto Convention Bureau’s, international marketing coordinator, James Kent, is managing the project: “Despite being Japan’s second most significant city for meetings and events (and world famous for our bullet train), Kyoto’s cultural heritage and excellent conference and incentive offering is far less well known.  Our infrastructure and superb international access are perfect for groups of all types, including events for thousands in our larger venues.

“2010 is Japan’s MICE year, an initiative Kyoto is firmly supporting and promoting through our own external marketing activity.  To enhance this we have chosen to work with Soaring Worldwide, benefiting from their extensive industry knowledge and understanding of our country and culture.”

Soaring Worldwide’s, managing director, Adam Baggs: “Working with Kyoto Convention Bureau is already proving to be an incredibly rewarding experience.  The city has so much to offer and we are truly excited at the prospect and challenge of increasing their profile worldwide.”

The UK chapter of the world’s largest event industry association, Meeting Professional International (MPI), has appointed Soaring PR to handle their ongoing press relations.  The contract, initially for a year was awarded following an in-depth tender process.

MPI UK past president and md of Planet Planit, Paul Cook ran the tender process: “We have been aware for some time that our press presence needed to be more significant.  In a field of extremely strong contenders with excellent credentials, Soaring PR stood out due to their extensive industry knowledge, creativity  and desire to be involved at every level of the chapter’s activity.”

MPI president, and EIBTM exhibition director, Mandy Torrens :  “Soaring PR will make an excellent addition to the UK team and we look forward to their ongoing work, which will also include close liaison with MPI EMEA, creating a combined message across the region.”

Soaring PR, managing director, Adam Baggs : ‘MPI members across the world look to the association for education, advice, networking and lobbying power.  All of this work is being delivered here in the UK  but it has gone un-noticed by many.  Our work will focus on the expertise within the chapter, highlighting the benefits of membership, whilst raising the profile of MPI UK as a leading industry body.”

This latest win for Soaring PR follows closely on the heels of new business from DNC Wembley and CRN.  Soaring PR’s industry focused client-base also includes: Barbican , Event Assured, Nexus Collections and The Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre.